How long does it take to heal from surgery?

A:

Quick Answer

Surgical recovery time varies from person to person, according to Virginia Mason Medical Center. Limiting physical activity and keeping the surgical site clean can help shorten recovery time and prevent complications.

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A surgical wound heals in three phases, reports Virginia Mason Medical Center. The inflammatory phase lasts from two to six days following the procedure. During this phase, the surgical site swells, and the patient may experience warmth, redness or pain around the affected area. The proliferative phase is when collagen is produced to help close the wound. This phase usually lasts three to four weeks. During the remodeling phase, the red scar turns white due to the breakdown of excess collagen. The remodeling phase takes anywhere from six months to several years.